Dell's 12.1" Latitude XT2 XFR Is Tiny Yet Rugged

With Windows 7 out, we're apt to see a whole lot more Dell machines shipping with multi-touch capabilities. One of the best attributes to Win7 is its ability to natively interact with multi-touch applications and hardware, but even before that, Dell was dabbling in the technology with some of its notebooks.

Now, the company is mixing two niche product groups together in order to get this: the Latitude XT2 XFR. Hailed as the industry's smallest 12.1" rugged convertible tablet PC with a multi-touch display, this little guy is one tough cookie. It's small and thin--not much larger than some netbooks, but it's far more durable and able to withstand the elements for those who spend more time working in the field than in the office.

Designed to meet the unique and demanding needs of customers in the military, police, border patrol, field service organizations, factory fulfillment and first responders (not to mention argonauts and clumsy consumers), this laptop is built to handle bumps and finger presses. The XT2 XFR is available in the U.S., Canada, France, Spain, United
Kingdom, Germany and Italy via all of Dell’s sales channels, including PartnerDirect.
It starts at $3,599 and more information is available here.

Inspired by discussions with the defense, law enforcement, homeland
security communities, field service departments and utility companies,
Dell developed a convertible tablet that can adapt to changing mission
requirements and withstand harsh environments. Features of the
Latitude XT2 XFR include:

At 1.5 inches (38.1 millimeters) it is the thinnest 12.1-inch
rugged convertible tablet and starts at 5.4 pounds (2.45
kilograms) with four-cell battery and solid state drive1,
it is engineered and independently tested to meet MIL-810G
standards for operation in harsh environments. Dell expects
MIL-810G certification in the coming weeks.

Compression-sealed and rugged I/O doors, LCD, and keyboard,
provide an IP54 level of Ingress Protection, or resistance to
moisture and dust.

The Latitude XT2 XFR can be installed in police or first-responder
vehicles where critical information can be accessed with one hand. The
Latitude XT2 XFR is also ideal for field-service and industrial
manufacturing workforces who need an easy to carry, rugged system that
can stand up to drops, spills and temperature extremes.

The Latitude XT2 XFR is available with Dell’s optional remote
management capabilities and next business day service and support.2

The rugged tablet shares common images and components with the Dell
Latitude XT2 tablet for easy integration into existing environments.
The Latitude XT2 XFR also includes: